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Diamine Fountain Pen Ink 80mlBottled Ink

Diamine

Diamine Fountain Pen Ink 80ml

Diamine's 80ml ink bottles remain a staple for fountain pen enthusiasts, offering an unbeatable combination of colour variety, smooth performance and bulk value.

4.5
Notch score9/10 notches
  • Huge 80ml value size
  • Wide colour selection
  • Smooth reliable flow
Volume
80ml
Origin
Made in England
Bottle Material
Glass
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01Verdict

Diamine's 80ml ink bottles remain a staple for fountain pen enthusiasts, offering an unbeatable combination of colour variety, smooth performance and bulk value. While the bottle design could be improved for full ink extraction and some shades lack water resistance, the overall reliability and affordability make this a top choice for both beginners and seasoned pen users.

4.5Diamine Fountain Pen Ink 80mlBottled Ink · 9/10 notches

02Specs & build

Volume80ml
OriginMade in England
Bottle MaterialGlass
Ink TypeDye-based, water-soluble
Compatible WithFountain pens, converters, eyedroppers

Build notes

  • 80ml glass bottle with wide ink-well neck for easy pen filling
  • Available in over 80 vibrant and classic colour shades
  • Free-flowing, well-lubricated formula suitable for fine nibs
  • Quick-drying on most fountain pen friendly papers
  • Made in England using traditional ink-making methods
  • Compatible with converters, piston fillers and eyedropper pens

03Pros & cons

What we liked

  • Excellent value per ml compared to smaller bottles
  • Wide colour range including shimmer and shading inks
  • Smooth flow reduces skipping and hard starts
  • Consistent quality batch to batch
  • Easy to clean from pens with water

What could be better

  • Bottle shape makes last few ml hard to reach
  • Some bright colours can stain pen materials over time
  • Not waterproof so notes can smear if wet
  • Limited shimmer settling in fine nib pens

04Full review

Diamine Ink in the generous 80ml bottle offers fountain pen enthusiasts an exceptional value proposition without compromising on the quality that has defined this British ink manufacturer since 1864. Housed in a substantial glass bottle with a wide mouth designed for easy pen filling, this ink range spans an impressive spectrum of colors, from deep classic blues and blacks to vibrant purples, greens, and specialty shimmer variants. The formulation strikes a careful balance between vivid color saturation and practical usability, flowing smoothly through fine nibs while maintaining consistent performance across various fountain pen models and filling mechanisms.

What sets Diamine apart in the crowded fountain pen ink market is its commitment to formulating inks that are gentle on pen mechanisms while still delivering rich, saturated color on the page. The ink dries at a reasonable pace, reducing smudging for right-handed and left-handed writers alike, and demonstrates good behavior on a variety of paper stocks, from budget notebook paper to premium fountain pen paper. Many colors in the lineup exhibit subtle sheen or shading characteristics when used with broader nibs, adding visual interest and depth to handwriting, journaling, or calligraphy work without requiring specialty inks that cost significantly more per milliliter.

The 80ml bottle size makes this ink particularly practical for those who write frequently, journal daily, or maintain multiple fountain pens that need regular refilling, eliminating the frustration of running out mid-project that often accompanies smaller 30ml or 50ml bottles. The ink remains water-based and generally easy to clean from pen barrels, converters, and cartridges, making color-switching between writing sessions straightforward for hobbyists who enjoy rotating through Diamine's extensive palette. Whether used for everyday correspondence, calligraphy practice, or filling a treasured vintage fountain pen, this ink delivers reliable performance and colorfast results that have made Diamine a trusted name among pen collectors and calligraphers for generations.

05Owner notes

Short notes from owners, lightly edited for length.

Great value and gorgeous colours

I've gone through several 80ml bottles of Diamine and never been disappointed. The flow is smooth in all my pens and the colour saturation is fantastic for the price.

IEInkWell_Enthusiast

Solid ink, tricky bottle

Performance wise this ink is wonderful - shades beautifully and dries fast. My only complaint is getting the last bit of ink out of the bottle without tipping it.

CCalligraphyByJane

My go-to bulk ink

For everyday writing this is unbeatable. I buy the 80ml bottles because I use so much ink and Diamine never lets me down on consistency.

TBto bulk ink — PenCollectorMike

Good starter ink

As someone new to fountain pens, this ink was easy to use and clean up. Just wish some colors were waterproof for note-taking.

FFountainPenNewbie